Perth and Kinross Foodbank’s manager has described this winter as the toughest yet for the lifeline.
Lori Hughes was speaking as Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli encouraged Scots to support their food banks this new year.
Charity Trussell – which supports a community of 133 food bank locations across Scotland – revealed that the number of people facing hunger and hardship in is at record levels – 670,000 people in Scotland.
It represents a 24 per cent increase in the number of people facing hunger and hardship in Scotland in the last 20 years.
Perth and Kinross Foodbank project manager Lori Hughes said: “Winter 2024 has been a real struggle for many of the individuals, couples and families that cross the threshold of our food bank.
“People are having to make tough decisions and prioritise how they are spending their income – it just can’t be stretched any further.
“The food bank has evolved from a transactional food parcel distribution service, to a safe, nourishing place where people can bring their whole vulnerable, authentic messy self without fear of judgement. It’s a place where many a tear is shed, and that’s perfectly OK.”
She pointed to Perth and Kinross Foodbank data for December 2024 which shows 353 referrals to the food bank being fulfilled and feeding 764 people, including 266 children.
A total of 293 individual households were fed with 73 first time referrals.
In 2024 as a whole there were 4,019 three-day emergency food parcels, feeding 7,692 people (including 2290 children).
There were 1,600 individual households served with 881 first time referrals.
Ms Hughes added: “Perth City Centre remains the ward with the most frequent referrals, just shy of three times the number of referrals of the second most frequent ward Perth City North.
“Perth City South, Blairgowrie and the Glens. Strathmore, Strathtay and Strathearn fall in behind.
“We also issued 285 Compassionate Christmas Meals in Perth and Kinross, facilitated access to free gift schemes which distributed parcels to over 70 children, and distributed just shy of 140 Christmas Hampers.”
Trussell says people are being forced to turn to food banks because incomes from work, and social security payments do not cover the cost of the essentials, such as food, bills, and toiletries.
As the cost of essentials continues to rise and temperatures continue to drop many food banks across Scotland are nearly at breaking point due to growing numbers of people forced through their doors.
Winter has consistently been a time when food banks see exceptionally high levels of need, and many are concerned that for the first time donations of both food and cash may not be enough to help them meet this need.
Last week Sanjeev Kohli urged Scots to show their local food bank that their community are there for them.
He said: “It is heartbreaking that so many people will be forced to turn to a food bank to feed themselves or their families this new year. “Winter is often the busiest time for food banks, that’s why I’m calling on the public to continue to play their part. I’d love people to support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising, or campaigning to help end hunger in Scotland.
“I hope you can take a few moments to think about your local food bank this winter.
“Whether it’s a few quid in a collection bucket or a few extra items in your shopping trolley, every bit will make a world of difference.”
To support Trussell and its food bank community this new year visit trussell.org.uk